Variants of concern (VoC) of SARS-CoV-2 raise the possibility of increases in transmissibility, severity and immune evasion. Children and pregnant women who have not been prioritised in the pandemic, are likely to be the last population for whom vaccines are approved and may have low uptake, increasing the risk of VoC arising in this population.
Monitoring this group across regions is crucial given rapid changes in epidemiology due to interventions, vaccine rollout and viral evolution. VERDI (SARS-CoV-2 variants Evaluation in pRegnancy and paeDIatrics cohorts) will build on a long-standing infectious disease research and trial network (Penta) to address research questions on the impact of VoC in these vulnerable groups.
VERDI’s objectives are: i) track and characterise VoC in paediatric and pregnant populations across the globe; ii) understand effects of VoC on clinical outcomes (short/longer term), vaccine effectiveness and transmission characteristics; iii) model outcomes and impacts of VoC; iv) develop evidence-based recommendations for control of
COVID-19.
VERDI will achieve these objectives by bringing together a diverse range of cohort studies including large scale national and regional level population-based cohort studies from the EU and beyond, providing a unique opportunity for harmonised analysis of data on VoC from a range of sources (e.g. electronic health records, bespoke cohort studies, household transmission studies, screening programmes). We will facilitate expansion of existing studies, e.g. replicating ongoing European household studies elsewhere. Through this approach, VERDI will expand and enhance existing cohort networks, including promoting flexibility to adapt to future emerging infections. The project will improve understanding of the epidemiology and impact of VoC, leading to robust recommendations for control in a range of global settings as well as developing preparedness for future health emergencies.